Vail Mansion | iwillmakeualist

I can’t believe that I find myself trying to talk anybody into heading into the depths of New Jersey for dinner. Continuously fantastic and worth the drive more so than perhaps anything else in the state. We ended up with quite a lot of food on this visit and I am proud of my dining companions who aren’t quite the professional eater that I try to be. Thank you Chris James for the fantastic cocktails. When I ask to be surprised with something gin based as my first drink and get my absolute favorite, the Last Word, it was obviously going to be a good night. Congratulations on the well deserved recognition from Esquire magazine!

Braised Octopus – tomato asopao, green olive gremolata
Autumn Salad – roasted root vegetables, almond cracker, brown butter gastrique
Hand Cut Sirloin Tartare – potato rosti, cornichons, egg yolk
Fusilli Pasta – spicy sausage, broccoli rabe, controne beans
Arancini- mortadella, pistachio, pomodoro sauce
Caramelized Squash Crostino – gorgonzola and ricotta, toasted pumpkin seeds
Yellowtail – chicken skin, scallions
Cheese Plate – robiola fiorita, gorgonzola dolce, pecorino grand cru, castelrosso
Charcuterie – spicy sopressata, prosciutto, bresaola, pickled vegetables
Desserts (unfortunately missing descriptions)

Banana Hammock

I have no idea how many times I have driven by the Vail Mansion in Morristown and somehow never even noticed it. I suppose that is because it sits slightly back from the street but I am kicking myself for being so oblivious. I remember making a mental note when Jockey Hollow opened but then somehow forgot about it. Perhaps a bit late, but I am so glad I finally made it here. Such an absolutely beautiful building that it has been impeccably restored and is being utilized in such a fantastic way. I hope to check out the downstairs menus on a future trip although it will be difficult to miss out on the upstairs dining room. I do love how occasionally things come full circle. Many years ago I had lunch at L’Impero (and then Convivio) quite frequently as I worked only a block away and loved the brief escape into tudor city. So its no surprise that I would love a place where Chris Cannon, Ron Morgan and Chef Kevin Sippel have been reunited from those days. And its no surprise that all of the pastas were amazing. But actually everything was! Such a completely pleasant surprise to be in NJ and not feel like you are in NJ at all.

Yellowtail Toro Crudo – red radish, toasted quinoa and white asparagus

Scrambled Hen Egg – American caviar and accoutrements

Spring Pea Raviolini – carbonara, pea tendrils, smoked speck and king crab

Lamb Neck Casoncelli – wild ramp pesto and pane mollica

Duck Liver Agnolotti – fava beans, pecorino and mint gremolata

Monkfish Porchetta – pancetta, bean salad and adobo crema

Dry Aged Prime Sirloin – brussels sprouts and bone marrow au poivre

Buttermilk Spring Chicken – country ham, ragusano wild lettuces

Pavlova – cardamom rice pudding, rhubarb compote and rhubarb sorbet

Bayley Hazen Blue Cheese – cornmeal fritter, maple walnuts, huckleberries and frisee